#Brexit: Davis says UK will not be 'plunged into a Mad Max-style world borrowed from dystopian fiction'

Brexit Minister David Davis said today (20 February) that Britain has no plans to recast itself as a regulation-light economy undercutting rivals on the continent, as he attempts to dispel a major concern of European Union leaders, writes Andrew MacAskill.

Secretary of State for Exiting the EU Davis went to Austria today to make a speech outlining his views. Davis, who has had little traction in his discussions in Brussels is trying to appeal to the EU-27 countries directly. His recent visit to Germany with Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond was unsuccessful, perhaps Davis hopes that in appealing to smaller EU members he can gain greater leverage.

In the latest of several speeches by ministers intended to lay out the government’s plans for Brexit, Davis will tell business chiefs in Austria it is mistaken to think Britain will focus on deregulation after it leaves the trading bloc.

“They fear that Brexit could lead to an Anglo-Saxon race to the bottom. With Britain plunged into a Mad Max-style world borrowed from dystopian fiction,” Davis said.

"These fears about a race to the bottom are based on nothing, not history, not intention, nor interest.

In the past, ministers have suggested Britain may have to change its economic model to remain competitive and cut taxes and regulation to attract global investment.

But Davis will say that Britain will continue to maintain the highest global standards and is committed to workers’ rights, financial regulation, animal welfare and the environment.

Davis said he wanted to maintain the mutual recognition of British and European regulators.

Britain’s government is hoping its large financial services industry will be able to retain access to the EU markets after it leaves the bloc, two government officials said last week.

“A crucial part of any such agreement is the ability for both sides to trust each other’s regulations and the institutions that enforce them,” Davis will say.

Meanwhile, the opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in a speech on Tuesday attacked the government over the lack of clarity about what sort of relationship it wants with Europe after leaving the EU next year.

“Business needs clarity and with two out of six of the government’s ‘road to Brexit’ speeches already delivered, the Tories’ approach to Brexit is, if anything, less clear,” Corbyn said.

David Davis's Foundations of the Future Economic Partnership speech is now available here.

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